Auntie Chidia's Funeral Service
Mom, Dad, and I have been praying the Rosary each evening since I last wrote about Auntie Teng's request for a Novena for Auntie Chidia.
This FRIDAY morning (St. Andrew's day) at 9.30 AM, with help from U Sahnee and Kitt, we were able to get the video feed from the Nederlands from the crematorium. There were several people in addition to the priest who contributed to the service.
Connie Ledesma spoke about their deep friendship and U Eddie's record of the RngP Peace talks in the 1990s.
T read a letter from U S.
Maria Morales sang Ave Maria by Gounod.
Irma G gave a reading
Ged spoke for the family
the priest delivered a brief homily where he stated that he was to have a publishing meeting this afternoon, but is here today...To paraphrase him: The same day (MON?) he received news about Orquidia, he had a dream in which he was asked, "What are you going to do with your life?"
General Intercessions
Our Father
Final Blessing
Music by Beethoven, Chopin's Fantasie-Impromptu in C# minor- Opus 66,
The service was completely in English. U Eddie was truly, visibly saddened to the core and grief-stricken.
~~~
Helped M with the Mass card for the family. Mailed it, then went grocery shopping in Bloomfield for dinner--Italian sweet sausage and sweet pods.
Delish.
The Summer of the USA Bicentennial
Of the 13 vacationers in our wood-paneled station wagon during the summer of the USA Bicentennial, only 9 of us remain here.
Just a thought to ponder.
Nine Day Novena for Orquidia. Solemnity of Christ the King
Auntie Estella wrote at 11.52AM last night, at her local time. Here is part of her email:
"In as much as we cannot be
all together to do the nine day Novena for Quiding let us just say the Rosary then end it with three times saying ,'Eternal rest grant unto
Orquidia, O Lord. and let perpetual rest shine upon her, may she Rest In
Peace Amen.' For those who do not know how to pray the rosary, you can say
one Our Father, one Hail Mary, one Glory Be, and end it with the Eternal
Rest prayer. Do it three times.
"Let us all start it tomorrow
evening at 8:00pm at the same time so that we can still be one family
praying for Quiding.The date will be from Nov 26 to Dec 4."
D, M, and I prayed the Joyful mysteries on the Rosary. We started on Flip time and M is now chatting with Uncle Alex.
We have prayed the Rosary every night of the Novena.
~~~~
The Solemnity of Christ the King...among other pieces, the choir sang:
Preparation of the Gifts: O Jesus, King Most Wonderful (Robert Farrell)
Communion Antiphon: The Lord is King forever. The Lord will bless his people with peace. (Robert Farrell)
Communion Meditation: Choral Fanfare for Christ the King (H. Smith)
along with these
Entrance Hymn: To Jesus Christ, Our Sovereign King
Communion Hymn: Priestly People (Lucien Diess)
Recessional Hymn: Rejoice! The Lord is King
Auntie Chidia/ Quiding Passed Away
...quite unexpectedly after abdominal surgery last night in the Nederlands. She and her spouse, Uncle Eddie, have been publishing in print and online the news magazine Munting Nayon: News and Views of the Filipino Community Worldwide for many many years. She has served the Filipino and expatriot communities well.
Eternal rest grant to her, O Lord, and
May perpetual light shine upon her.
May she rest in Peace!
Thanksgiving 2018
Wonderful Thanksgiving 2018, D went to SPC early 8.15 AM Mass. M, D, k, K, and I piled into the sedan to meet WA, MM, BB, SC, LM at Grand Concourse for an early seating for Thanksgiving. The buffet was luscious. I had the beef (among the turkey, beef, and ham), and multiple trimmings. There were tables with desserts, as well, including a fresh Bananas Foster station, ice cream in waffle cones, and hot donuts. We all had a grand time and enjoyed regaling with and hearing stories from each other.
A couple of hours later MM, BB, SC came over for games (PPG game). I took a quick nap and they, with K and k played Ticket to Ride. I assisted (not that handily) with dinner prep. We had brown-sugar-crusted HoneyBaked ham, venison pot roast homemade by k, broccoli quiche and also quiche Lorraine, mashed potatoes with turkey gravy, green bean casseroles, wassail, OMgosh, the list goes on and on...
FRI 23 NOV 2018- Breakfast with K and D, helped K obtain a 5-day pass for fitness, saw k and K off for the Carnegie International 2018/19, then organized the tableware with strips of penciled paper and tape. Reset the table with new silverware and placemats and plates. B and S and MM came over to D and M's in the PM for food, games, and fun with their relatives.
SAT 24 NOV 2018- Apparently, BB and S spent the night chez L and L's home. K prepared an awesome breakfast of fried rice, chicken longganisa, and eggs perfectly over easy. The kids played games with k and K, until their Mom and came over, and the younger generations decided to go games shopping in Squirrel Hill, followed by a jaunt to the (new) Japanese grocery store, and bubble tea. I stayed behind once MM and I wended our way to the Japanese grocery store--I got a green tea ice dessert with a layer of red bean paste, surrounded by a wafer molded into the shape of a flat fish. Awesome. It was a "Green tea flavor ice by Binggrae---Samanco Green Tea Ice" Binggrae Co. is in Seoul, Korea. k and K departed, with the crewel work/ needlepointed Desert Cactus and the Chi chair.
Auntie Chi is doing great after a similar procedure to mine...she will go home sometime around this weekend.
Plenteous, varied, diverse, delicious Leftovers....Overflowing.
SUN 11 NOV to WED 21 NOV 2018
SUN 11 NOV 2018- Dad served as Eucharistic Minister at St Paul Cathedral noon Mass. M, D, and I went to a light diner in Forest Hills (I for liver and onions!). Mom and I attended the 4PM Mass at the Oratory---Fr. Steve celebrated. Saw Laura D and Mary Ann H there. This was my first day to attend Mass since pre-operation.
MON 12 NOV 2018- More PT standing exercises with T. Met William @ the UC by the brown chairs...after M, D, and I spent time catching up with Rosemarie, her husband Joe, their dog Renfrew, and Helen Faye and Charles. We got some eats, met up with MM, BB, and SC, too.
William's class, which filled Rangos 2 Ballroom, was interactive, and also featured questions "for my future self"....In lieu of that, there was a panel consisting of R, J (with r), HF, V, and J, who answered questions provided in advance, as well as real-time questions asked live by the attendees present.
TUE 13 NOV 2018= One last go at grocery shopping with D and M. Went to Bloomfield, the Strip District, Shadyside, East Liberty, then stopped by WA and MM's home to drop of a few items.
WED 14 NOV 2018- Early PT appointment with R- Too cold to go outside. Debbie mentioned, and presented, the book The Children Of Willesden Lane Beyond the Kindertransport: A Memoir of Music, Love, and Survival.
https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-446-52781-1
A moving, inspiring true story of the main author's mother in World War II. The authors were Mona Golabek and Lee Cohen. The first 1/4 to 1/3 of the book I found myself verklempt, overcome by the story---with tears and tissues to dry them---to keep reading this biography of WWII. A lovely, moving account by the author's daughter of the trials and tribulations of war refugees in Europe.
These survivors of genocide survived---and thrived---to tell their stories to succeeding generations.
THU 15 NOV 2018-The home care nurse, Kay', visited this morning. Wintry mix, freezing rain, and sleet today and this evening. Stayed inside all day. Did not go to choir practice.
FRI 16 NOV 2018- Went to the Pittsburgh Chapter of the American Guild of Organists 40th Anniversary Organ Artists Series (co-sponsored with Saint Paul Cathedral Cathedral Concert Series)...The concert this evening was performed by Kimberley Marshall of Arizona State University on the Beckerath organ.
Her program, centered on remembrance, consisted of:
Prelude in E-flat Major BWV552i, (J. S. Bach)
Three Pieces from the Lochamer Liederbuch, c 1452 (Anonymous in Southern Germany)
Excerpts from Messe des Proisses- Fugue, Recit, Duo, Elevation (Francois Couperin)
Tiento XXIII de 6 - Tono sobre la Batalla de Morales (Francisco Correa de Arauxo)
Fugue in E-flat Major BWV552i, (J. S. Bach) with a theme whence "O God, Our Help in Ages Past" comes
~~~Intermission~~~
Mass "L'homme arme'" (1979) (Margaret Vardell Sandresky)
Introit, Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Agnus Dei
Litanies from Trois Pieces (Jehan Alain, 1911-1940)
Prelude and Fugue on the name ALAIN, Opus 7 (Maurice Durufle)
The trills and her Lightness on the Beckerath were phenomenal (and her forearms concealed the power to produce the trills!) These digital gymnastics were obvious near the end of the Arauxo piece, the Credo of Margaret Vardell Sandresky's piece, and scattered throughout the program. Travelled there with C, met Sarah, a CMU student who had walked from campus to SPC with Kimberly. Thanks, Kimberly, for autographing the B and B CD! Don, Ken, Judi, Doug were all at the event, making it go smoothly.
SAT 17 NOV 2018- Finished the war and peace biography started two days ago. Spent half the afternoon at D and M's. Steak and onions on rice for dinner. Mangoes for dessert. Watched NBC Nightly News and Jeopardy. Takin' care of business/ correspondence with/for M.
SUN 18 NOV 2018- Noon Mass celebrated by Fr. Dan Walsh?. The choir sounded lovely, singing
Introit- The Lord says, " I am pondering thoughts of peace..."
Entrance Hymn- Jerusalem, My Happy Home
Lord Have Mercy (Chant, Vatican Mass XVI)
Gloria (J. Lee)
Psalm 16 (Michel Guimont)
Gospel Acclamation/ Alleluia (M. Vulpius)
Preparation of the Gifts- How Firm a Foundation (Robert Farrell)
Holy, Holy, Holy; Memorial Acclamation; Amen (Deutsche Messe, Franz Schubert)
Agnus Dei (Chant/ Plainsong)
Communion Antiphon- To be near God is my happiness, to place my hope in God the Lord (Robert Farrell)
Communion Hymn- Psalm 19 (Richard Proulx/ Polan)
Communion Meditation- Ave Verum (A. Guilmant)
Recessional Hymn- From the Father's Throne on High
Coffee and Donuts hosted by the Choir! We enjoyed food and fellowship.
Mom and I made pancit ramen soup-ish for a late lunch.
A nap after lunch was enjoyed by me.
Chatted with my friend JAH afterwards....caught up with electronic communiques afterwards.
MON 19 NOV 2018- Electronically contacted the surgeon's office. TJ was the PT lead for today. I took a nap in the afternoon, had dinner with D and M, watched the NBC NIghtly News and Jeopardy, took some BPs, and ordered some ophthalmalogic and yummies, too. They had gone grocery shopping after D's eye op. 21.45-- Time to go home.
TUE 20 NOV 2018-Mellow day. E visit M.
WED 21 NOV 2018- LAST day of home care. R did the discharge. Auntie Chi had a similar surgery as I, but more complicated.
...The surgeon said it went "perfect[ly]."
k and K drove in, we enjoyed dining (including dinuguan for them). They left, later, for Japanese food in Lawrenceville.
After D and M and I enjoyed dinner and the NBC Nightly News and Jeopardy!
k and K arrived after dinner, and chilled by chatting and caring about M, and D.
Early turn-in for early rising for Thanksgiving tomorrow.
WIzard of Oz- CAPA
Here are some videos simlar to the dress rehearsal for CAPA's Wizard of Oz:
Dress Rehearsal, Part 1
https://youtu.be/Z7NcK0Nli0o
Dress Rehearsal, Part 2
https://youtu.be/DQF3GODL0Vw
SAT 03 NOV 2018-A Chill Day; to SAT 10 NOV 2018
SAT 03 NOV 2018
I took it easy this morning, and took NO DOSES of any PAIN MEDICINE since 10PM last night. By lying low, I can balance the frequency and amount of doses of pain medication (including Tylenol) which need to be taken to manage my pain and sleep. Slept very well, probably due to the Melatonin I took last night. I took a half pill of the lowest dose of my pain medication last night with the melatonin.
I will attempt to duplicate these dosing efforts tonight. This should be easier to accomplish with Daylight Savings Time ending for the season overnight, thus giving me an additional hour of sleep.
This afternoon I did my physical therapy exercises, took a shower, then chatted with Maureen before dinnertime. We spoke about her mom, the memorial Mass for her mom, Hallowe'en costumes, her family, her future plans, and her mom's doggie.
SUN through eve of WED, 04 to 07 NOV 2018-
NO Pain medication, neither Rx'ed nor OTC taken. I am both proud of this fact and had semi-sleepless nights, for those nights indicated---probably due to having to shift weight when the pain kicked back in. [T]J from visiting PT staff came on TUES 06 NOV 2018, On TUES, Dad drove M and I, so we could all vote. There were some neighbors
concerned about gerrymandered districts who were requesting signatures
for a petition. Krista from Visiting Nurse staff came on WED 07 NOV 2018.
THU 08 NOV 2018- Convinced TJ from the visiting PT team that I could make it to the door for choir practice (as opposed to the parklet, only) and back for our walk. I brought my lightweight cane/chair, took a few photos on the way, and was pleased (but somewhat tired) at the outcome. Shq M came by on THU 08 NOV 2018 afternoon. I rested up during the rest of the PM, and made it to choir practice that night! S walked with me there, C gave me a ride home.
FRI 09 NOV 2018-
A take-it-easy day! The highlight was a shower and shampoo! Stayed at home.
SAT 10 NOV 2018-
Listened to WQED-FM this morning, "From the Top," and Lynn Warfield with movie music and Veteran's movie music. Did my 02 NOV PT exercises. Went to M&D's after having a chef salad---took a short nap, then joined them to make and have a pizza. Helped them with their online bill-paying. A cold day--the AM was around freezing, but "felt like" ~17 Fahrenheit.
Progress Post-S
A day over a week after surgery, I had mastered the "log roll" maneuver and was ambulating around my private hospital room with no devices.
I've been told by the surgeon's office that I need to be clear of home care, and to be clear of special acute pain medications, and to be steady on my feet...before I can drive [and wear my ankle brace, as well]. Since leaving the hospital, I have been on low dose or extended release Tylenol during the day; and very very low doses of pain medicines at night.
FRI 02 NOV 2018- Major physical therapy exercises (one set of each), and walking about my whole floor, too, with R. Sh M came by to help me with chores, including laundry. Had a delivery from the pharmacy, as well. Ran into neighbors both near and nearer, thanked Roseanne for her card. Rested/napped in the late afternoon after lunch. Dinner with Mom and Dad. Sharing about the Wizard of Oz with Mom, sewing, and addressing cards to various friends and family. Physically, a good day. Received melatonin today, but my physical self is tired and heavy-lidded, anyway.
SAT 27 OCT 2018
On Saturday I spoke with W, and soon after I hung up <11:02 am=""> I received an emergency message saying that there were
"Shots fired at the Tree of Life Synagogue on Wilkins Ave. Police operations are ongoing. Avoid the Squirrel Hill/ Shadyside area."
as the locale was between W's and my homes, I called him back. He assured me that he had received the message already.
About two hours later, another text alert:
"The Tree of Life shooter is in custody. Emergency police operations are over...."
and then, after, in chronological order:
Washington Post: Breaking News, World, US, DC News and Analysis - The Washington Post
https://www.washingtonpost.com/
Sat 10/27/2018, 11:37 PM
potus and 9/11/2001--- 11 dead, 4 officers among injured in Pittsburgh synagogue mass shooting: Officials
https://abcnews.go.com/US/police-responding-active-shooter-pittsburgh-synagogue/story?id=58790381
Sun 10/28/2018, 2:40 AM
On Day Of Mass Shooting, Trump Jokes He Nearly Canceled Speech Due To 'Bad Hair Day'
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/trump-bad-hair-day-joke-shooting_us_5bd4d48be4b0a8f17ef85cc0
Sun 10/28/2018, 2:40 AM
Sidney Crosby, Penguins mourn Squirrel Hill shooting: ‘Knowing Pittsburgh, I know we’ll stick together’ – The Athletic
https://theathletic.com/617174/2018/10/27/sidney-crosby-penguins-mourn-squirrel-hill-shooting-knowing-pittsburgh-i-know-well-stick-together/
Sun 10/28/2018, 2:51 AM
actions based on POTUS and Fox News in Pittsburgh
https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2018/10/29/media/pittsburgh-suspect-invasion/index.html
Mon 10/29/2018, 11:35 PM
Trump to visit Pittsburgh amid funerals, calls for him to stay away | Article [AMP] | Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pennsylvania-shooting/trump-to-visit-pittsburgh-amid-funerals-calls-for-him-to-stay-away-idUSKCN1N418P
Tue 10/30/2018, 8:50 AM
Penguins Wear ‘Stronger Than Hate’ Patches, Hold Fundraisers For Victims Of Synagogue Shooting – CBS Pittsburgh
https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2018/10/30/penguins-special-patches-fundraisers-synagogue-shooting-victims/
Wed 10/31/2018, 3:38 AM
Here’s the ‘small protest’ Trump says he didn’t see in Pittsburgh
A friend Lisa, who is a professional biomedical researcher, is quoted in the written article below. Please see the first
video... It tells so much! "Bridges not walls!"
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2018/10/31/heres-small-protest-trump-says-he-didnt-see-pittsburgh/
Wed 10/31/2018, 5:29 PM
Trump shocks with racist new ad days before midterms - CNNPolitics
CNN is mainstream media.POTUS is racist against brown People Like US. Heck, We're a nation of immigrants!
https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/31/politics/donald-trump-immigration-paul-ryan-midterms/index.html
Today's Post-Gazette Headline is the Mourners' Kaddish
http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2018/11/02/pittsburgh-post-gazette-front-page-newspaper-kaddish-mourners-prayer/stories/201811020126
FRI 02 NOV 2018
Good news about survivors
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2018/11/02/Remaining-wounded-injured-Tree-of-Life-synagogue-shooting-pittsburgh-hospital/stories/201811020102
FRI 02 NOV 2018
Human Interest story about 8th Graders in Woodland Hills
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2018/11/02/squirrel-hill-massacre-pittsburgh-woodland-hills-Tree-of-Life-synagogue-shooting/stories/201811020139
FRI 02 NOV 2018, 8:38 PM
Options before S...
When I attended my pre-op appointment with the surgeon, Dad came with me. The orthopedic surgeon, Dr L, indicated the suite of procedures he may do when he operates. "I may have to go back in, in a year and a half." I stressed to him that if he wanted to, he could do as many procedures as he sees fit during this surgery.
So, the way I see it, post-op, it appears as the "Chinese Menu" options were fully utilized; and were utilized to the max: Chinese menu says to select one item from Menu A, two items from Menu B, and one item from menu C. ...My surgical team were told to select any procedure from Menus A, B, and C, and "drinks were on the house!" In other words, any procedure that could have been done for my lumbar spine was completed. Boy, was I glad, as fewer surgeries/ cuttings/ going under the knife are preferable to more.
